Although CEA is an effective treatment for the majority of patients with carotid occlusive disease, there remains a need for a treatment option for those patients with significant surgical risk factors. These patients have been shown to have much higher rates of morbidity and mortality. There are approximately 50,000-70,000 patients each year who are considered poor surgical candidates. These patients present with either one or more anatomical or co-morbid conditions and have a one-year stroke and death rate of up to 15% with traditional surgical treatment.